There is nothing like wine harvest in the great vineyards of the world. On a perfect evening in the gardens of Spottswoode Vineyards in St. Helena, CA, some of the most familiar wine names came together to support Acorn Soupe. For a slideshow of the evening, click on the photo. (Photos by Richard Peden and Sergio Lub).
Acorn Soupe creates programs to introduce children to nature by taking them into their community and challenging them to make a connection with the world they live in. Of all the inspiring places Nancy and I have lived, we find the generosity of the northern California wine country most profound. Proceeds from the auction go to supporting the annual programs. Our very energetic friend, Sandra Learned Perry who, with her mother Babe Learned, originally bequethed their family ranch (located between the Sugarloaf and Hood Mountains in the Mayacamas) to be a sanctuary for future events. Sandra has been the creative force behind this organization and the reason this annual event has continued to grow.
We gathered in the gardens of Spottswoode Vineyards with an glass of Domaine Chandon sparkling and hors d'oeuvres of mushroom crostini, grilled shrimp in prosciutto and fresh baby vegetable tortino from chefs, David Shalleck and Jim Neal. Reception wines were featured from Cain Vineyard, Chameleon Cellars, D-Cubed Cellars, Charles Krug and Raymond Vineyards. Just some of the items up for auction were :
Magnums of Vineyard 29 Aida from Chuck and Anne McMinn
A magnum collection of Benziger, Cain, D-Cubed, Etude, Hall, Honig, Mondavi, Sinskey, Stony Hill, Storybook and Volker Eisele Estate
Grace Family Vineyards Blank Vineyard 6 liter cabernet custom etched for Acorn Soupe's event
Dinner for 10 prepared by Boulevard's Nancy Oakes hosted at Gary and Julie Wagner's vineyard featuring wines from their cellar
Dunn Vineyards 5 liter 2002 Howell Mountain cabernet
Turley Cellars Collection
OK.. do you get the picture?? Besides great juice, Tim Mondavi, Dick and Anne Grace and the Rombauer family contribute because they see the relationships: soil/water/wine, ecosystems/community, personal economic reward/local rejuvenation, affecting change in young people and present moment/future moment.
After the silent auction, a film of Acorn Soupe's past efforts was shown narrated by Peter Coyote. Dinner tables were set up under the redwood trees and soon followed the wild, live auction with Mondavi's table egging on his neighbors. In all, 28 live lots and 111 silent lots were bid.
For foodies like me, dinner consisted of:
Late harvest tomatoe soup, Laura Chenel fromage blanc and olive bruschettina and serrano chilies
Berk Ridge porchetta, beef sirloin kabobs and roasted chicken breasts with shepard's marinade
Rancho Gordo shelling beans with green onion and olive oil
Roasted marinated Sicilian caponata summer squash
Tuscan extra virgin olive oil cake with baked nectarines and zabaglione
Wines:
Spottswoode Estate Vineyards
Cain Vineyards
Streblow Vineyards
Cakebread Cellars
Beringer Napa Valley
Change, like conversation, sometimes happens in small, seemingly fragile moments. For this one evening, divergent artists came together to celebrate and support a larger cause, share viewpoints and plant seeds that seem small at first but may grow with attention and nurturing. Thanks to all of those who contributed and all of you who support the potential of your local community. RP
